How Atlanta Became a Booming Business and Startup Community
Atlanta is now a hotbed for business and technology talent. Its diverse economy, global access, highly educated workforce, and low-cost of living has attributed to the recent explosion of more than 150,000 businesses, including the third highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the country. Georgia – named the “Best State for Business” for four consecutive years – has actively promoted the region’s viability as a place to grow and build a business. This has attributed to Atlanta’s recent nod by Forbes as one of the “5 U.S. Cities Poised To Become Tomorrow’s Tech Meccas.”
How did Atlanta become the business beacon of the Southeast? Through the concentrated efforts of its dedicated technology and entrepreneurial community. Here are noteworthy organizations advocating that Atlanta is a thriving city for work.
Atlanta Tech Village
The Atlanta Tech Village is one of America’s largest entrepreneurial hubs. It aims to support and inspire entrepreneurs to achieve success by creating a community that promotes faster connections between talent, ideas, and capital.
Invest Atlanta
Invest Atlanta is the official economic development authority for the City of Atlanta and seeks to strengthen Atlanta’s economy and competitiveness on a global stage.
Choose ATL
The goal of Choose ATL, part of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, is to brand Atlanta as the best city for entrepreneurs, technology, and business opportunities. It strives to attract top millennial talent from all over the country to ‘Choose ATL’ as their home.
Georgia Department of Economic Development
The Georgia Department of Economic Development is the state’s agency for attracting new business investment. It promotes the state as a destination for business, technology, the arts, and a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects. At the heart of its activities, GDED encourages the expansion of existing industry, supports small businesses, and aligns workforce education and training with in-demand jobs in Georgia.
Hypepotamus
Hypepotamus is the go-to source of startup and tech news, events, job listings, and resources. The website showcases the students, innovators, companies, and venture capitalists that are proud to call the South home.
The City of Atlanta
The City of Atlanta has been integral in fostering business and startup growth through programs like the Women’s Entrepreneurial Initiative (WEI) and has continued to support technology incubators and hubs throughout Atlanta.
UrbanGeekz
Urban Geekz is an innovative digital platform geared towards African American, Latino and multicultural audiences. The website covers startups, commerce, geek gadgets, social media, and insight on the global technology industry.
Peachtree Center
Peachtree Center is a business, restaurant, and hotel district located in Downtown Atlanta. Originally built in the early 1970’s, it is undergoing a major transformation with architectural enhancements, infrastructure improvements, and an incorporation of technology.
General Assembly Atlanta
General Assembly empowers professionals through dynamic courses in coding, business, data, and design. Celebrating its third year in Atlanta, General Assembly has become home to conversations about technology, innovation, and career opportunities via its expert-led courses, workshops, and events.
Morris, Manning, & Martin, LLP
Morris, Manning, & Martin is an award-winning full-service law firm headquartered in Atlanta. The firm sponsors a number of technology events around town and serve as the primary tech and business law firm in Atlanta.
Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official guide for travelers and locals to discover all things Atlanta and was created to favorably impact the Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism.